Holiday entitlement when self employed

Amanaman

For the last 4 years, I have been working from home in the UK as a freelance writer for a company based in Israel. I am paid per article and I pay my own income tax and national insurance so I am registered as self-employed, despite not running my own business. 
I currently receive 10 days paid holiday per year but don't have a written contract. Am, I entitled to any more days holiday per year since I work full-time hours and don't work for any other company? I also haven't had a pay rise since I joined. Am I entitled to a cost of living pay rise? It feels like I am a full-time employee with freelancer's rights. Any advice would be appreciated.

pramsay13

If you're self-employed you just take a holiday whenever you want.
If you want a pay rise you tell whoever is paying you that your new article fee is £x amount.
They can of course choose not to use your services.

Dox

Amanaman said:

For the last 4 years, I have been working from home in the UK as a freelance writer for a company based in Israel. I am paid per article and I pay my own income tax and national insurance so I am registered as self-employed, despite not running my own business. 
I currently receive 10 days paid holiday per year but don't have a written contract. Am, I entitled to any more days holiday per year since I work full-time hours and don't work for any other company? I also haven't had a pay rise since I joined. Am I entitled to a cost of living pay rise? It feels like I am a full-time employee with freelancer's rights. Any advice would be appreciated.

You are running your own business if you're self employed: a writing business. Regard the 10 days paid holiday as a major bonus, but be aware that HMRC might start questioning your self-employed status if that came to light!

You should have a contract for services (as opposed to a contract of service, which an employee would have) to ensure both parties are clear on their respective expectations and obligations. You are not 'entitled' to anything - as a freelancer, you negotiate your own rates direct with the entity to which you are providing services.

TELLIT01

I think the OP is wondering about the HMRC regulations around self-employment if working full time for a single employer.  Even if the OP is working on that basis, they are working for a company in another country so I don't know if UK law could be applied in that situation.  As the OP is simply paid per article, and has no defined working hours I doubt the HMRC regs would prevent them being classed as self-employed.

Nobody is entitled to an annual cost of living rise.

Amanaman

It's an unusual situation. I work exclusively for the company to a set quota of articles every day and I don't have any say on my fees or holiday entitlement, which is why it feels like I'm a full-time employee with freelancer's rights. The fee per article was offered to me from the outset. 

KatrinaWaves

That would normally cause issue in the UK, however as you work for an Israeli company it is likely Israel have different employment laws to the UK. You do indeed seem to be treated like an employee, but how many holidays days do people employed in Israel get? 

Comms69

Amanaman said:

It's an unusual situation. I work exclusively for the company to a set quota of articles every day and I don't have any say on my fees or holiday entitlement, which is why it feels like I'm a full-time employee with freelancer's rights. The fee per article was offered to me from the outset. 

You do have a say, you can say im not doing this for less than £x. 

In this case it seems you are self employed. The test being atleast in part, could you sub contract the work - which obviously you can. 

Amanaman

KatrinaWaves said:

That would normally cause issue in the UK, however as you work for an Israeli company it is likely Israel have different employment laws to the UK. You do indeed seem to be treated like an employee, but how many holidays days do people employed in Israel get? 

I think most people get 10 days, but I believe there are some people based in South Africa who get more but they have contracts. Isn't there also a distinction between a worker and being self employed? 

Comms69

Amanaman said:

KatrinaWaves said:

That would normally cause issue in the UK, however as you work for an Israeli company it is likely Israel have different employment laws to the UK. You do indeed seem to be treated like an employee, but how many holidays days do people employed in Israel get? 

I think most people get 10 days, but I believe there are some people based in South Africa who get more but they have contracts. Isn't there also a distinction between a worker and being self employed? 

What has south africa got to do with you??!

Yes there's a massive distinction between a worker and self employed. 

[Deleted User]

You are employed under Israeli law so you will need to look into that. The fact you are a UK resident is of no concern to them. HMRC will come after YOU if you are not declaring your working scenario properly - you are self-employed. 

theoretica

Does your contract allow you to work for other employers (even if your energy and the number of hours in the day prevents)?  Does your contract say that you , personally, need to write the articles - would they know or care if you subcontracted?

My understanding is that UK employment law does apply for employees in this country employed by foreign firms - if you are employed rather than self employed according to HMRC - but you do, unfortunately, need to consider the risks of the company deciding it is too much trouble or expense.  However, I agree with other posters that if you want more you need to ask them.